Exercise, diet and regular visits to your physician can all play a part in helping lower blood pressure. But complementary and alternative medicines (CAM), like acupuncture, dark cocoa extract, coenzyme Q10 supplementation or device-guided slow breathing exercises may also play a key role.
Talk to your physician about incorporating these treatments into your treatment plan; they tend to be safe with few side effects.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an effective alternative treatment for hypertension. Acupuncture has a powerful influence on the nervous system and neurotransmitters that play an essential role in controlling blood pressure; its exact mechanisms remain unknown but clinical and mechanistic studies have demonstrated its antihypertensive benefits.
Acupunecture can be combined with lifestyle modifications to effectively lower blood pressure. This may include diet and exercise changes as well as cutting back or stopping caffeine, sodium or alcohol intake. Furthermore, traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) principles can also guide its use when used alongside herbal medication for effective blood pressure lowering.
To assess the efficacy of acupuncture treatment for grade 1 hypertension, a systematic review was conducted involving 13 randomized controlled trials with participants’ systolic and diastolic blood pressure measurements being recorded prior and after receiving acupuncture treatments. Studies of acupuncture for grade 1 hypertension showed promising results regardless of their individual patient characteristics, locations of acupuncture points or techniques used. Overall, results demonstrated its efficacy at improving grade 1 hypertension. Acupuncture was found to have sustained effects at 30 and 60 minute data points, comparable to medication nifedipine. Therefore, researchers advise future research with larger sample sizes and more consistent acupuncture techniques as well as improvements to randomization method and inclusion/exclusion criteria to avoid bias and be conducted in multidisciplinary setting rather than just one practitioner office.
Massage
Hypertension affects millions of people worldwide and poses serious threats to their health, such as heart disease, stroke, kidney issues and aortic aneurysms. Treatment typically involves diet, exercise and medication to address high blood pressure.
Massage therapy can be an effective natural treatment for high blood pressure, helping lower both systolic and diastolic levels, as well as resting heart rate. This effect comes from massage’s relaxing properties which reduce stress hormones which contribute to an increase in blood pressure spikes; additionally it improves circulation, helping lower pressure by decreasing resistance in blood vessels.
Massage for high blood pressure has several additional advantages that make it an invaluable therapy tool. One such advantage is stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system, prompting your body to produce feel-good chemicals that support healthy blood pressure levels by relaxing muscles, decreasing production of stress hormones and relieving tension.
Though research indicates massage to be beneficial in treating high blood pressure, it is still advised to seek professional guidance before initiating this therapy. For those already diagnosed with hypertension, regular massage should be seen more as preventive care than a cure; helping maintain healthier levels for long term.
Massage can also encourage restful night’s sleep, which in turn can lower blood pressure levels. Therefore, massage should be included as part of an overall wellness plan alongside diet and exercise measures.
Garlic
Garlic, a member of the lily family, has long been used medicinally. It can help naturally reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels while offering anti-cancer properties – one study showed that people who ate garlic regularly were less likely to develop colon cancer! Furthermore, garlic consumption also helps lower LDL cholesterol levels in blood.
Studies and trials have demonstrated that eating garlic may reduce blood pressure, cholesterol and triglycerides. Furthermore, trials have proven its ability to prevent heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular issues. Another advantage of eating garlic is strengthening one’s immune system – test tube studies have even demonstrated its ability to kill cancer cells while potentially stopping them from spreading further in the body; not to mention helping prevent infections like colds and flu outbreaks!
Researchers recently conducted a study which concluded that Kyolic supplements reduced systolic blood pressure by 8-10 mmHg and 5-6 mmHg diastolic, comparable to trials using standard blood pressure medications. However, this meta-analysis only included limited trials and must be confirmed through long-term studies; furthermore it would be useful to explore which factors determine someone’s response to aged garlic extract – for instance whether someone might be more responsive due to high vitamin B6/Folate levels etc.
Basil
Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is an herb used in Mediterranean, Italian, Thai, Indonesian and Vietnamese cuisines, as well as Thai massage. The leaves and oils contain vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that may provide health benefits; in particular the oil contains compounds with anti-inflammatory properties like eugenol, limonene and citronellol that may lower risk factors associated with arthritis and heart disease while protecting cells against oxidative stress that damages cells and leads to diseases.
Basil has long been recognized for its antibacterial properties. Its leaves contain essential oils including eugenol, citral, linalool and methyl chavicol that help inhibit bacteria that cause food poisoning, urinary tract infections and pneumonia. Basil can also serve as an expectorant, relieving coughs; furthermore it possesses antitussive and anthelmintic qualities to kill parasitic worms.
Basil has several antibacterial and antioxidant properties, which have been demonstrated to protect against cell damage and aging. Furthermore, its essential oils possess antitumor and anticancer effects as evidenced by lab studies of sweet basil that showed it could suppress cancer cell growth while improving overall cellular health. Holy basil or Tulsi has proven especially helpful at lowering stress hormones and improving mental clarity – with one study finding significant reductions in cortisol levels while simultaneously increasing serotonin production for improved mood and decreased stress.
Qi gong
Qi gong is an ancient Chinese practice designed to promote health and wellbeing through physical movement, meditation and breathing exercises. It’s rooted in the belief that your body contains an extensive network of energy pathways through which vital force known as Qi or chi circulates – ultimately helping you feel healthier than ever! Studies have demonstrated its ability to improve health and function for those living with high blood pressure, although its efficacy at lowering their blood pressure remains uncertain. Researchers used randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of Qigong therapy on essential hypertension patients as a measure to gauge its effects, searching for studies using various forms of Qigong techniques that used English publications as their language of communication. Studies that utilized nonconventional therapies or traditional Chinese medicine; those that measured laboratory values rather than systolic and diastolic blood pressure measurements; or those involving participants from diverse age groups or genders were excluded from consideration.
Researchers found that qigong had an impressively positive impact on participants with hypertension, improving ventilatory functions in middle-aged individuals and stabilizing the sympathetic nervous system while decreasing urinary catecholamines levels and blood pressure levels – although their study was limited due to small sample sizes and healthy controls being included instead of patients suffering from HTN.
Stenlund et al conducted a study randomized 95 elderly cardiac patients into groups that combined Qi gong and group discussion or to a control group, finding that those practicing Qi gong saw improvements in physical activity levels, balance, and coordination; whereas their counterparts did not.
Slow breathing exercises
One of the easiest and most effective ways to lower high blood pressure is breathing slowly. This technique is often taught in yoga classes but can also be done at home; according to one recent study it has shown impressive improvements both systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings for people living with hypertension.
Diaphragmatic deep breathing involves slowing your breathing rate while expanding the belly to allow oxygen into your bloodstream more effectively and reduce stress, depression, anxiety, and anger levels. Studies have also demonstrated its benefits for managing stress levels as well as alleviating depression anxiety anger.
To engage in this breathing exercise, sit or lie comfortably in a quiet environment and close your eyes. Next, take six deep breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth while paying close attention to their length – counting seconds between breaths while trying to make exhalations longer than inhalation. Repeat three more times until all six deep breaths have been taken.
Studies have revealed that device-guided slow breathing can significantly lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP), MSNA and index of sympathetic nervous system activity (INSA), C reactive protein (CRP) levels as well as enhance chest expansion and inspiratory muscle strength – likely due to increased tidal volume caused by slower breathing.
